World Bank Bans PwC Africa Units for 21 Months Over Fraudulent Practices
NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) – The World Bank has imposed a 21-month ban on three PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) affiliates in Africa – PwC Associates Africa Ltd. (Mauritius), PwC Kenya, and PwC Rwanda – following investigations into fraudulent and collusive practices related to a major regional energy project. The sanctions, announced March 18, 2026, represent a significant move by the global lender to enforce integrity in development financing.
The debarment stems from misconduct discovered during the Eastern Electricity Highway Project, a $1.1 billion initiative designed to connect Ethiopia and Kenya, strengthen regional electricity supply, and reduce power costs. Investigators found the PwC units improperly obtained confidential procurement information in 2019, leveraging it to influence consultancy contract awards.
According to the World Bank, the firms also misrepresented details concerning expert qualifications and availability during contract execution, and failed to disclose complete subcontracting arrangements – actions deemed fraudulent under the Bank’s guidelines.
In a negotiated settlement, the firms acknowledged wrongdoing, leading to a reduced debarment period. The ban prohibits PwC Associates Africa Ltd., PwC Kenya, and PwC Rwanda, along with any entities they control, from participating in World Bank-funded projects for the duration of the sanction.
The World Bank has directed the firms to implement robust integrity compliance measures before reinstatement can be considered, signaling a broader commitment to accountability in development projects.
Analysts predict the ban will have repercussions across East Africa’s consulting and audit sector, potentially limiting PwC’s access to lucrative public sector and donor-funded contracts. The case underscores increasing scrutiny of consultancy firms involved in large-scale infrastructure projects.
“This decision highlights growing vigilance by global lenders in safeguarding development funds and cracking down on fraud,” noted industry observers.
The Eastern Electricity Highway Project aimed to enable Ethiopia to generate revenue from electricity exports while bolstering Kenya’s power infrastructure. The World Bank’s action serves as a warning against compromising the integrity of such vital development initiatives.
